Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the House to highlight the important work of Campus d'Alfred, a University of Guelph regional campus in my riding of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.

The campus is the only francophone agricultural college in Ontario, and a leader in its field. It offers high-quality education, and makes an important contribution to agricultural and environmental research.

I recently had the honour of announcing over $1 million in funding from CIDA. The campus will use this money towards its project to reduce poverty and increase food self-sufficiency in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This a fine, tangible example of excellence in the field of French-language education, agriculture and international co-operation.

I would like to congratulate the campus on its success and wish it the best of luck on its new projects abroad.

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' nutrition north program, created by the Minister of Health, has done nothing but increase the cost of groceries across northern Canada.

From Labrador to the Yukon, people are paying outrageous prices for food: $16.29 for a can of beef ravioli, $13.39 for a box of spaghetti, $14.49 for a bag of muffin dust, $59.59 for a package of ground beef. Unlike the old food mail program which subsidized the cost of shipping food north, nutrition north subsidizes the cost of selling food, resulting in record profits for some northern grocery stores.

Northerners have taken to the streets to protest this failure, including a march by Inuit to Parliament Hill. However, there has been no action by the Conservatives. Now the legislatures of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut have voted unanimously to have the Auditor General investigate this program.

When is the government going to listen to northerners and fix this boondoggle?

Mr. Speaker, Edmonton lost a favourite son last Saturday, with the sad passing of John Berry after a long battle with cancer, at the much too young age of 62.

John's career in broadcasting spanned the country, from Ontario to B.C. He is best remembered as the entertaining weatherman and local events commentator on CFRN TV in the eighties and nineties. John left the world of journalism in 1996 and became a celebrity chef and private caterer, appearing at local restaurants, community charity events and soup kitchens around Edmonton.

John could never say no to any charity. He emceed Klondike Days, acted as a judge at many charitable events and became a fixture at any public event in our city. John was a big man with a bigger smile, an even bigger sense of humour and an enormous heart. He was a man who simply wanted to make things better.

John was a strong family man and a man of faith. He will be deeply missed by his wife Mirna and their three children.

“Instead of the wind-chill factor, all I have to worry about is rare, medium or well done, and that suits me just fine”, John told the Edmonton Journal in 2005. “God led me here for a reason, and I'm here and I'm loving it”.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Partners in Research on its 25th anniversary. In 1988, a small group of academic leaders in my city of London joined together to create a group dedicated to enhancing public understanding of the importance of health research in conquering diseases and improving quality of life.

The methods that Partners in Research use to deliver its educational mandate have evolved, from schoolroom videotapes and annual research competitions, to active tutorial web videos, to its flagship program, virtual research on call. It uses state-of-the-art video conferencing to deliver leading scientists directly to the classroom. Last year, this program received a grant of almost $1 million from FedDev Ontario to enhance the scope of its activities.

This past week we honoured several national scientists and researchers, including Western University's own Dr. Eliot Phillipson. Kudos to Ron Calhoun, whose vision it was to make Partners in Research the critically acclaimed research group that it is today. Thanks to executive director Kevin Cougler for his leadership, along with the volunteers, sponsors and patrons who matter to Canada's research-intensive community.

Mr. Speaker, for 15 years the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada, led by Mr. Mobeen Khaja, has held a Canada Day gala on June 30. At the stroke of midnight, the group, representing all faiths and communities, cuts a cake and sings O Canada together.

The mission of the association is to build understanding among different communities and faith groups in Canada. This year, the association is honouring the mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti. I have had the privilege of working with Mayor Scarpitti in various capacities since my first election to this House in 2000. This year Markham was declared Canada's most multicultural community, and I am deeply proud of this accomplishment.

I would like to thank the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada for its efforts to further multiculturalism, and I would also like to offer congratulations for its continued success in celebrating our great country.

Mr. Speaker, today members of Engineers Without Borders will be meeting with parliamentarians to discuss ideas for improving Canada's development assistance. Engineers Without Borders is one example of a growing phenomenon in Canada: young Canadians demonstrating passion and leadership in international development.

In my own work on conflict minerals, I have been encouraged and inspired by the commitment of student and youth groups to this cause. Some are driven by environmental concerns and others by humanitarian motivations. They all believe in the possibility of a better world.

Today marks the anniversary of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment and the last Iranian election. These are two events that united global civil society in support of peace, democracy, and human rights. Today we are reminded of the role that civil society, including youth, can play in creating political change.

I hope that all members will join me in applauding their contributions.

Mr. Speaker, June 2 was Cancer Survivor Day. I am a cancer survivor, but rest assured that I am not here to pay tribute to myself. I am here to honour those unsung heroes in the lives of most who endure this terrible disease. I am talking about the loved ones, the mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends, who must pray and wait as they support us through our trial.

For many of us, there is that certain someone, our significant other, our husbands or wives, who suffer as we suffer but never leave our side. Though their love helps us more than they will ever know, sometimes they feel helpless but never hopeless. They never complain or think of themselves.

When we honour a victim or congratulate a survivor, please remember the loved ones who suffered with them.

On behalf of cancer survivors, we thank our loved ones, especially our spouses, in my case my darling wife, who in my darkest hour gave me every reason to live.

Mr. Speaker, as chair of the parliamentary tourism caucus, I would like to invite all of the members of the House to join me in celebrating Tourism Week in Canada.

As chair of the parliamentary tourism caucus, I invite everyone to join me in celebrating Tourism Week in Canada.

Canada's $85-billion tourism industry is hard at work in communities from coast to coast to coast, fuelling nearly 615,000 jobs. Through initiatives like our government's federal tourism strategy, we will continue to grow this important industry.

Tourism Week in Canada also provides us with an opportunity to recognize the leaders who work tirelessly to promote our country. One of these leaders is the president and CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Julie Canning, who has been named one of the co-hosts of the 2013 tourism industry of Canada congress, to be held in December at the Château Laurier.

During this Tourism Week in Canada, I thank and applaud Julie for her service. She is certainly a wonderful ambassador for our country.

I encourage all Canadians and visitors from all over the world to see all that Canada has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani child labourer, was sold as a slave at the age of four and spent six years of his life chained to a loom.

In 1995, Iqbal was freed from horrible conditions of forced labour. He took action and spoke out against child labour. Iqbal Masih's efforts to stop child labour made him famous on the international stage but, sadly, he was killed in 1995 for standing up for children's rights.

In 2010, there were still 215 million children—that is one in seven—who were working. More than half of all those children are exposed to the worst kinds of child labour. They work in dangerous environments, as slaves or in illegal activities. Child labour robs them of their childhood, potential, dignity and basic rights.

Every year, on June 12, we mark World Day Against Child Labour.

I want to dedicate my speaking time to the memory of Iqbal Masih, to all young Canadians and to organizations that are involved in the daily fight against child labour.

Mr. Speaker, after weeks of defending the status quo in the Senate, the Liberal leader is now coming to the defence of a Liberal senator whom even the Toronto Star has called disgraced.

Speaking to Global News recently, the Liberal leader said he would absolutely welcome Senator Harb back to the Liberal caucus.

What is more, the Liberal leader continues to allow Liberal Senator Pana Merchant to sit in the Liberal caucus despite the questionable status of a $1.7-million offshore bank account that, according to the media, she has not declared publicly, as required by Senate rules.

The Liberal leader's defence of Mac Harb and Pana Merchant is just more proof that the Liberal leader does not have enough judgment to be Prime Minister and is in over his head.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the work of Carrefour des femmes du Grand Lachute, an organization that is very important to me and that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

Carrefour des femmes du Grand Lachute opened in 1983 with the support of a federal grant. Its mission is to help women by informing them of their rights and advising them on how to improve their living conditions.

Over time and at the request of clients, its services and activities have expanded. As in the early days, women continue to come to the organization to break out of their isolation, obtain information and help other women.

They come to an awareness of their condition, develop confidence in themselves and their potential, and spread feminist thinking, thus helping to improve their lives and their community.

Mr. Speaker, it is apparent that in the House our Conservative government stands alone in the fight against tax evasion. The New Democrats knowingly appointed a tax delinquent to be their revenue critic, and the Liberals will not ask why one of their senators is reportedly a beneficiary of a multi-million dollar offshore bank account. The leaders of the NDP and the Liberal Party should explain to Canadians why they continue to protect these members over hard-working, law-abiding Canadian taxpayers.

Paying taxes is a reasonable responsibility shouldered by all Canadians. Not paying their fair share is irresponsible, inconsiderate and un-Canadian. The New Democrats and Liberals should demonstrate to Canadians that they take tax evasion seriously by ejecting reported tax delinquents from the Liberal and NDP caucuses.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bailey Tarrant, a grade nine student at Holy Name of Mary Academy in Lawn in my riding of Random—Burin—St. George's. Bailey recently won an essay contest by the Marine Institute in St. John's, earning her the opportunity to participate in the Arctic expedition as a member of the students on ice program. This program makes it possible for young people to visit Canada's north to learn about climate change and global warming and their effect on indigenous cultures.

Bailey is not new to the environmental cause. Since fourth grade, she has been active in the school's eco-kids program. This group of dedicated youth has led the way in their hometown of Lawn, encouraging family and friends to make lifestyle changes that will help the environment. In 2011, they were awarded a Marine Institute Eco-Champ Award and were recently presented with a $25,000 computer lab by Staples Canada.

I ask all members to join me in recognizing Bailey Tarrant and all members of Eco-Kids for their efforts in making a difference not only in their community but in the world.

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is in away over his head. Every statement he makes about the Senate is more outrageous than the last.

To summarize, for those who may not already know, the Liberal leader started out by completely ignoring Senator Pana Merchant's reported $1.7-million offshore account, and the Liberal senator is still part of the Liberal caucus to this day.

Then the Liberal leader forgets that when we speak to one region in the country, modern technology ensures that the rest of the country will hear what we say. To the shock of all Canadians, he said that he “believes the Senate should stay exactly the way it is because it benefits us”, while talking to Quebec reporters.

Finally, media are now reporting that Liberal senator, Mac Harb, owes up to $200,000 in ineligible housing claims. The Liberal leader however thinks that Mac Harb should absolutely be part of the Liberal caucus.

When it comes to the Senate and his reaction, the Liberal leader is in over his head.

Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton—St. Albert decided to quit the Conservative caucus because the Conservatives betrayed their Conservative values and because he was tired of being a trained seal for the Prime Minister's Office.

They have not learned their lesson, though—far from it. They stubbornly refuse to be transparent, and there are plenty of examples of that. They refuse to answer questions in the House, they try to divert attention, and the Prime Minister holds a 3-minute and 57-second scrum.

Then they release a video of the Prime Minister showing off his comic skills in 2011. That will calm people down. They must think Canadians are fools.

We will not be taken for fools anymore. The Conservatives are in possession of a copy of the cheque Nigel Wright gave to Mike Duffy, but the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence said that it was not in the interests of average Canadians for them to disclose it, since they would not understand.

While he and his colleague from Nepean are busy contradicting themselves, Canadians are getting an idea of what happened and are realizing that they deserve better. They deserve an ethical option that will not abandon its values along the way. That option is the NDP in 2015.

Mr. Speaker, today Canadians of Filipino heritage celebrate an important date in the history of their community. It was 115 years ago that the Filipino people, under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, proclaimed independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Today, Canada is proud to be home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the world. Last year, Canada welcomed a record number of immigrants, visitors and students from the Philippines, with the number of immigrants increasing 146% since 2004. Canadians of Filipino heritage have made enormous contributions toward building our country. In 2012, our Prime Minister travelled to the Philippines and met with President Benigno Aquino, an historic moment in the relationship between our two countries.

Today and in the coming weeks, Filipinos across the country will celebrate independence day with family and friends, including on Parliament Hill and in my city of Mississauga.

On behalf of the Conservative caucus, I invite all Canadians to join in wishing all Filipino Canadians a happy Philippine independence day.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Canadian Heritage said that the Conservatives did “not have access to a personal cheque by Nigel Wright”. However, today, we learned that the Prime Minister, who is in Europe, said that he did in fact have access to the cheque but that he refused to make it public. How do the Conservatives explain this contradiction?

James MooreConservativeMinister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Mr. Speaker, the simple answer is no. That is not what the Prime Minister said while in Europe. What he did say was that independent investigations are under way and that the Ethics Commissioner, the RCMP and the Auditor General are reviewing the case. If they want the relevant documentation, then they can certainly have access to it. The process is very clear and independent. No, we do not have access to a personal cheque written by Mr. Wright.

Mr. Speaker, what is now clear is that the Conservatives actually do have access to a cheque. The Prime Minister stood in the House and said, “there is no cheque from the Prime Minister's Office”. He said that he only knew that Nigel Wright used a personal cheque because it was a “matter of public record” and because “that's what Mr. Wright told him”.

It does not add up. It is well past time for some straight answers. If the Prime Minister does not have a copy of the cheque, why will he not say so clearly himself? Why is the Prime Minister dodging this question? What is he hiding?